‘Time Machine Chefs’ Competition Seeks ‘Greatest Chef in History;’ Premieres August 16

Have you ever wondered what it was like to be a chef in 1416 A.D., or to cook in a medieval castle for kings and queens during the Tudor era? Well fasten your seatbelts and prepare for a journey through time when “Time Machine Chefs” blasts off, Thursday, August 16 at 9:00 pm ET/PT on ABC. With no modern appliances, amenities, running water or electricity, four popular chefs must create culinary masterpieces — and impress three esteemed judges — with only basic kitchen equipment, their imaginations and craftsmanship. Only one chef will be crowned The Greatest Chef in History.

The judging table consists of chef, restaurateur and cookbook author Nancy Silverton, Dave Arnold of the French Culinary Institute in New York City, and chef and cookbook author Silvena Rowe of Quince in London’s May Fair Hotel.

The “Time Machine Chefs” are:

Chef Art Smith is executive chef and co-owner of Table fifty-two in Chicago and Art and Soul in Washington, DC, as well as Southern Art and LYFE Kitchen restaurants. In 2012 Chef Smith opened his latest restaurant, Joanne’s, on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, with Lady Gaga’s parents, Joseph and Cynthia Germanotta. In 1997 he became the personal chef to Oprah Winfrey, a position he held for 10 years. Chef Smith has made numerous television appearances, including Bravo’s “Top Chef Masters” and Food Network’s “Iron Chef America.” He is also the author of three award-winning cookbooks.

Chef Chris Cosentino has been executive chef of Incanto in San Francisco since 2002 and is co-owner of Boccalone, an artisanal salumeria. Chef Cosentino has worked at a number of notable restaurants, including Red Sage in Washington, DC, Rubicon, Chez Panisse, Belon and Redwood Park. He debuted his first cookbook, Beginnings: My Way to Start a Meal, in 2012 from Olive Press media.

Chef Ilan Hall is best known to television viewers as the winner of Season Two of Bravo’s “Top Chef.” Chef Hall trained at Italy’s Lorenzo de Medici Apicus Program and at the Culinary Institute of America. He is owner and executive chef of The Gorbals in Los Angeles, CA.

Chef Jill Davie is a private chef in California. A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and UC Santa Cruz, Chef Davie has served as Chef de Cuisine at Josie Restaurant in Los Angeles. In August of 2006, she won the grand prize of $10,000 on Food Network’s “Hot Chefs: South Beach” competition and was a contestant on “The Next Iron Chef” in 2007. Chef Davie has appeared on numerous television programs and is currently a partner and head chef at Venice Beach Wines.

“Time Machine Chefs” is produced by Breakfast Anytime Inc. for the ABC Television Network.